New Year, New Monsters, Same Ben

Ritchey factory rider and cyclocross privateer, Ben Frederick, is continuing his mental health awareness campaign, via his Small Monsters Project, by dedicating his upcoming season to raising funds for Love Your Brain Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life of those affected by Traumatic Brain Injuries. 2021 was a great year for Ben. He was able to raise over $20,000, race all of the US World Cups and won the Single Speed National Championship.

This year, Ben will be wearing his monsters on his sleeve with his Small Monsters Project jersey bearing depictions of his monsters by Alex Carlson representing the trials of mental health. "After my TBI, I struggled with depression and anxiety which took root in an eating disorder that hospitalized me. My road to recovery and acceptance began when I was able to look my Monsters in the face and learn to live with them. The first step was the scariest, but with the help of my friends, family and professionals, I learned to live with my monsters. To walk alongside them. To have them in the open, not hidden away where they can grow and take hold."

“Struggling with a mental illness can be like having a BIG monster hidden in the closet, scary and unseen,” says Frederick. “My hope is that people can bring their monsters out in the open, learn to live with them, and eventually live life with your little monsters.”

Ben hopes to surpass last year's fundraising efforts for Love Your Brain - a non-profit dedicated to providing free programing and resources to TBI survivors and their caretakers - by selling supporter jerseys via Ornot Cycling. All proceeds from the sale of the Small Monsters Jersey as well as a sponsor supported raffle, to be launched later in the season, will be donated directly to Love Your Brain.

Ben will be racing SRAM AXS outfitted Ritchey Swiss Cross frames again this year. His head will be protected by Sweet Protection helmets and glasses. Other sponsors include Challenge Tires, Bobo’s Oat Bars, Bont Cycling.

www.thesmallmonstersproject.com